Two prominent human rights groups—Equality for All Foundation (EFAF) and Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ)—are calling on Cabinet Minister Daryl Vaz to publicly apologize after he allegedly encouraged the playing of a dancehall song widely condemned for promoting violence against LGBTQ+ Jamaicans.
The incident occurred on Sunday at a Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) rally in Clarendon South Eastern, where Vaz, after finishing his speech, urged the DJ to play TOK’s 2001 hit “Chi Chi Man,” a track notorious for its homophobic lyrics.
“Soundman, you think me can come off this stage and you nuh run Chi Chi Man, ah mad yuh mad man,” Daryl Vaz appears to tell the DJ, drawing loud cheers from party supporters.
In a statement issued Monday, Equality for All Foundation (formerly J-FLAG) condemned Vaz’s actions, calling it a setback for both Jamaican politics and broader societal progress.
“In the previous elections, both political parties very publicly declared that homophobia was inappropriate on the campaign trail following some unfortunate comments made in East Central St. Catherine. Fast forward five years, and we’re seeing a homophobic song being teased at another rally. There is a clear need for stronger guidelines on what is to be expected on the campaign trail. And the question we must ask ourselves, why is this kind of rhetoric needed at all?” said Glenroy Murray, EFAF’s executive director.
“Our political leaders are expected to conduct themselves at a higher standard, and they should not, in the excitement of politics, seek to undo the slow progress we as a society have worked hard to achieve,” Murray added.
EFAF also cited data from a 2023 public perception survey, which showed growing support among Jamaicans for Members of Parliament who protect LGBTQ+ individuals from violence and discrimination.
“EFAF is calling on MP Daryl Vaz to issue an apology to the Jamaican people for words and actions that are unbecoming of his office. EFAF is also calling on the Office of the Political Ombudsman, alongside the leaders of both political parties, to issue a clear statement that the use of homophobic or any other discriminatory language (whether spoken or in music) targeting a person or community is no longer an acceptable feature of our politics,” the statement read.
Jamaicans for Justice echoed EFAF’s concerns, stressing that leaders should be setting the tone for inclusivity, not undermining it.
“We share EFAF’s profound disappointment in the use of any homophobic slur and rhetoric that incite violence against LGBTQ+ persons, a regressive act that undermines Jamaica’s journey toward inclusivity, equality, and justice for all. JFJ strongly supports EFAF’s demand for an immediate apology from MP Vaz for actions unbecoming of his office,” the group said.
JFJ added that political figures must lead the charge in securing anti-discrimination laws and constitutional amendments to protect sexual orientation.
“Such behaviour is particularly egregious from those entrusted to lead the charge in advancing legislative protections, including the urgent need for an anti-discrimination law and amendments to the Jamaican Constitution to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation,” JFJ said.
“These progressive steps are essential to ensuring freedom from discrimination for all Jamaicans. When political leaders engage in or endorse discriminatory rhetoric, they not only betray their responsibility to champion these changes but also erode public confidence in the potential for societal and behavioural change among others. If those tasked with shaping our laws act in ways that perpetuate harm, how can we expect broader societal progress?”
Both organizations are urging the Office of the Political Ombudsman and political party leaders to issue clear campaign guidelines banning homophobic and discriminatory language, whether verbal or through music.
